Your Questions, My Answers

Here you will find a list of some of the most commonly asked questions. If your question is not among them, just contact me using the Contact Form.

No problem. You have no idea how many songs there are that grandchildren and grandparents both know. I have hundreds of them in my repertoire.

Make contact with Paul Smith to discuss your event and what you would like. Information that is useful will include;
Which live music you would like,
Location,
Timings of performance,
When you need the ensemble to be set up by
Any special musical requests like Happy Birthday, the Anniversary Waltz or a tune that is very special to you,
Is there a need to change location during performances
Paul Smith will work out a fee covering all the factors including how many players are involved and the timings/location etc.

Write a letter/email to Paul Smith outlining the details of the engagement (see above) and the price agreed including the booking fee. Paul Smith will reply acknowledging acceptance of both the booking fee and the engagement. The balance is usually paid on completion of the engagement however with the larger ensembles this is likely to be around a week or two before.

Payment is usually by BACS however, cash, cheque or PayPal may be used. Paul Smith Music does not have the facility to take payment over the telephone.

Usually it is appreciated if drinks are made available. The musicians employed by Paul Smith Music typically enjoy one or two soft drinks during an engagement. Meals are usually only required for evening engagements or if the musicians booked are travelling or setting up or packing down during a meal time. Sandwiches or bar meals are typical as is following your guests at the buffet. 

This is a non returnable payment which secures the date the ensemble is to be booked. The booking fee which is typically £50 for solo acts or £150-£250 for the larger acts will be taken off the original fee. If the engagement is cancelled, the musicians booked will receive compensation for holding the date and not taking on another booking.

All ensembles at Paul Smith Music come self contained bringing their own equipment. If there is a suitable piano at the venue then it may be used. 

You will be required to provide a reliable power supply and if the engagement is outside then a gazeebo or similar to protect musicians and equipment from the unpredictable weather. 

Do let me know at your soonest convenience. If you have to change the date I may be able to organise the changes with the musicians with no extra charge to you. If you have to cancel, then the booking fee will be used to compensate the musicians for holding the date and refusing potential work for that date. If any change of date proposed will not work then the booking will cancelled and the booking fee will be lost.

Where possible you will be given notice of such an action and given the option of sourcing your own alternative or I will give you a choice of alternatives from the professional musicians associated with Paul Smith Music.

Yes! An exception may be when working with backing tracks as these are prepared prior to the engagement. The professional musicians used can usually play most requests associated with the forms of music that the ensemble is employed to cover. It would be unreasonable to expect a jazz duo to perform a cover by Adele for example.

This will depend on your requirements and the timings agreed. A soloist for a wedding breakfast or dinner party will typically play for around 2.5 to 3 hours. A jazz band will usually need to set up much earlier than the playing time though the group will have an agreed cut off time. If you would like to request an extension on the event, usually something can be agreed on the evening. All ensembles would take a break after around 45-60 minutes of playing.